Shutoff apparatus for dual production wells



June 22, 1,954 R. A. TAPPMEYER sHUToFF APPARATUS FOR DUAL PRODUCTIONWELLS.

4. Sheets-Sheet l Filed June 5, 1951 FIGJ June 22, 1954 l R, A,TAPPMEYER 2,681,705

SHUTOFF APPARATUS FOR DUAL PRODUCTION WELLS Filed June 5, 1951 4Sheets-Sheet 2 June 22, 1954 R. A. TAPPMEYER sHuToFF APPARATUS FOR DUALPRODUCTION wELLs 4 Sheets-Sheet 3 Filed June 5, 1951 FIG.7

invenJror June 22, 1954 R. A.YTAPPMEYER SHUTOFF APPARATUS`FOR- DUALPRODUCTION WELLS Filed June 5, 1951 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 nveni'or RAW mager'Fxae Patented June 22, 1954 SHUTOFF APPARATUS FOR DUAL PRODUCTIN WELLSRonald A. Tappmeyer, Houston, Tex., assigner to Shell DevelopmentCompany,

Emeryville, Calif.,

a corporation of Delaware Application June 5, 1951, Serial No. 229,937

(Cl. ISG- 114) 6 Claims. l

This invention relates to well equipment for controlling the productionfrom a plurality of producing zones in an oil or gas well, and pertainsmore particularly to means for shutting off the production from aplurality of Zones within a well when well production equipment is beingserviced, repaired or replaced.

In oil wells and gas wells the well bores frequently penetrate two ormore productive Zones or strata. Under these conditions it is highlydesirable to produce from the several zones in such a manner that thenow from each of the several zones may be independently handled andcontrolled. In the case of naturally flowing multiple zone wells, or inwells where a dual articial lift installation is employed, it is almostalways necessary to load the well with oil, water, or drilling mud whendown-the-hole equipment is pulled or removed from the well forservicing. The purpose of loading a well in this manner is twofold: Toprevent commingling of the products of the two producing zones in thecase of dually completed wells, and to eliminate the need of a blowoutpreventer, when pulling tubing, to control the well in the event thatthe well tends to head or flow naturally during servicing operations.The loading of wells during servicing operations is undesirable in thatit is an expensive operation and the producing zones may be damaged orcontaminated by contact of loading liquid.

It is therefore a primary object of the present invention to providemeans for shutting off well production without the necessity of loadingor killing a well while servicing equipment used in a well having aplurality of producing zones,

Another object of this invention is to provide well equipment forestablishing and maintaining a separate or independent iiow of uid fromthe upper and lower productive Zones of a multiple Zone well beingdually produced. i

A further object of this invention is to provide equipment for use inconjunction with two concentric production tubings which provides forthe simultaneous production of fluid from spaced productive zones, theproduction from each zone being handled by one of the productiontubings.

Another object of the present invention is to provide well flow controlequipment for use in conjunction with two concentric production tubingsfor producing a multiple zone well, said well fiow control equipmentbeing controlled or operated by manipulation of the central or innermostproduction tubing.

Another object of this invention is to provide shut-ofi equipment forwells produced by means of the dual gas-lift system described in mycopending application Dual Gas-Lift System, Serial No. 177,990, ledAugust 7, 1950.

These and other objects of this invention will be understood from thefollowing description taken with reference to the accompanying drawing,wherein:

Figures l, 6, 7 and 8 are vertical views, partly in cross section, ofdifferent embodiments of the present invention installed in a wellborehole which traverses two producing zones or strata.

Figure 2 is a vertical sectional view of one embodiment of a valvemember of the present control apparatus, said view showing the valve inboth its open and closed positions.

Figure 3 is a horizontal cross-sectional view taken along the line 3-3in Figure 2.

Figure 4 is a detailed view, in vertical crosssection of anotherembodiment of a valvel assembly for use with the present well controlapparatus.

Figure 5 is a horizontal cross-sectional View taken along the line 5-5in Figure 4.

Referring to Figure 1 of the drawing, the well control apparatus of thepresent invention is shown as being positioned in a well borehole Illwhich traverses at least two producing zones ll and i 2. The borehole IBmay be cased or uncased but is preferably lined with a casing I3 whichis perforated, as at I4 and I5, at the level of the producing formationsII and I2. lin general, the well control apparatus comprises a pair ofconcentric tubing strings I6 and Il, for conducting iiuid from the twoproductive zones II and I2 of the well, and packers IS and I9 togetherwith sliding sleeve valves 20 and 2l for isolating the :fluids fromformations II and I 2 and directing them to separate tubing strings i8and I'i, respectively.

The packers I8 and I 9 are carried on the outer tubing string I'I at alevel respectively below and above the upper producing formation I2.While in certain embodiments of the present invention the upper packerI9 may be eliminated, it is essential that the lower packer I8 bepositioned between the producing formations Il and I2, The packers I 8and I9 may be of any suitable xed or expansible type, the latter typebeing actuated by manipulation of the tubing string Il, by hydraulicaction, or by any other method well known in the art.

Additionally, suitable packer or closure means are provided between thetubing strings I6 and il at a point below the upper sleeve valve 2l toprevent the intermixing of the uids from the two producing Zones II andI2. In the present packing material may be provided between nipi ple 22and shoe 2li to insure a iluidtight seal. It is realized that anexpansible packer, carried on the inner tubing string it may be usedinstead of the packer means formed by the top 22 of the slide valve 2li.

As shown in Figure l, a collar is secured to the outer surface or" theinner tubing string i6 for actuating said sleeve valve 2l in a mannerwhich will be described hereinbelow.

The sleeve valve 2i of Figure l is shown in detail in Figure 2 ascomprising a sleeve member 26 slidably mounted within a section oftheouter tubing string il. The outside diameter ci the sleeve member 26 issubstantially equal to the insidediameter of the tubing i'l whereby asubstantial luidtight rit is formed between the members 25 and Vi. Thetubing il is provided with a plurality of perfora-tions 23 while thesleeve 26 is provided with an equal number of perforations 32. The twosets of periorations 28 and 32 are spaced to register with each otherwhen the valve sleeve 26 is in its open position. Additionally, thespace between the perforations is substantially greater than the size ofthe perorations whereby the perforations are closed by a slight axialdisplacement of the sleeve 2li within the tubing Vi.

The sleeve member 26 is perferably provided with one or more annulargrooves St above and below the perforations 32, said grooves beingadapted to contain therein suitable sealing elements suchv as O-rings,piston rings, or any suitable packing material. An effective sealbetween the sleeve 2t and the tubing H prevents well fluid from enteringports 28 and flowing into the bore 33 of the tubing il when the sleevevalve is in its closed position, as shown in the right hand half ofFigure 2. To insure ports 23 remaining in alignment with port 32 duringrepeated opening andclosing of the sleeve valve, the sleeve is providedwith a key 39 tted for sliding movement in a keyway il cut in the wallof the tubing Il as shown in Figures 2 and 3.

Aixed to one end of the sleeve member 26 are locking means for limitingits travel or axial displacement within the tubing il. The locking meanscomprises at least one and preferably a plurality of rocker elements lllpivotally mounted by pins 43 in slots 45 in the lower end of the sleeve26. Threadably secured to the lower end of a tubing section and to theupper end of an adjacent tubing section of the string H is aI specialcoupling 42 having a pair of spaced annular grooves 49 and 5i) formed inthe inner wall. The ends of the rocker element 4l have a hammerheadshape with one face 5i or 52 at each end of the rocker elements adaptedto seat within one of the annular grooves 49 or 50, Each rocker elementil is formed in an angular manner about its pivot pin 43 so that whenone end 52 oi the rocker is positioned in groove 5i) the opposite end 5iis raised from the surface of the coupling 58.

When any rocker has one end 5| raised from the surface of the coupling48, the inner face 55 of that end extends into the annular space 5lbetween the sleeve 25 and the inner tubing string I6 at distancesufcient to be engaged by the collar 25 carried on the tubing string IB.Preferably the inner faces 56 of the ends of the rocker element ii areshaped to form a shoulder against which the collar 25 may act. When theouter face 52 of the rocker Qi is positioned in groove 5E, the clearancebetween that end of the rocker and the inner tubing string iii issufcient to permit the passage of the collar 25 therethrough.

in the event that the iiuids from the two production ZonesV li and l2may be intermingled temporarily without undueV harm, the use of thecollar 25 may be omitted and a shoe 24 of suitable size and shape may beemployed to open valve 2i as it passes therethrough prior to openingvalve 22 when it seats in nipple 22.

A longitudinal recess 58 may be outv in the inner wall of the coupling48 intermediate the grooves 159 and 59. A suitable spring 59 is mountedin said recess 58, one end of said spring being anchored to the wall ofthe coupling 48 by a bolt Si). The spring maintains a pressure on onearm of the rocker element di at all times thereby forcing the arm intothe annular space 5i surrounding the tubing i5 while the other arm ispvoted so that its head 52 is forced into groove 52. As the sleeve 253and attached rocker element il are moved upwardly from the positionshown in the left-hand half of Figure 2, the central pivoted portion ofthe rocker element passes over the spring 59 until it assumes theposition shown in the right-hand half of Figure 2.

When the rocker element t! has its lower end 52 positioned in the lowerannular grooveil, as shown in the left-hand section of Figure 2, the4sleeve valve is in its open position with the iiuid port or perforation28 in alignment with port 32 in the sleeve 2B. Likewise, when the upperend'i of the rocker element 4l is positioned in the upper annular groove'59, as shown in the right-hand section of Figure 2, the sleeve valveis'in its closed. position. The sleeve 26 is adapted to travel adistance suiiicient to completely close the iiuid ports in the tubing ilasY shown. If desired, a rubber wiper element El may be secured in anysuitable manner to the top of the sleeve element 28 to prevent sand orother solid material from accumulating behind the sleeve 26.

Another type of a sleeve valve of the present invention is shown at 20in Figure l and in more detail in Figure 4. The valve comprises a shortsection of tubing 62 which may be connected to the lower end of theouter production tubing il in any suitable manner, as by beingscrewthreaded to a reducing nipple 63 which is in turn secured to thetubing I1. The lower end of the tubing section 52 may be closed bycoupling a closure cap or plug 5d thereto, An annular recess 55 isprovided in the inner wall of the tubing section 22 to contain vacompression spring 6 6 therein.

Mounted for vertical sliding movement within the tubing section 62 is asleeve 61 having a plurality of iiuid port 68 through the wall thereofwhich is spaced to register with an equal number of fluid port 69through the wall ci the tubing section 62 when the valve assembly is inits open position. Suitable packing means, such as O-ring lumay bemounted in annular groove 'H in the outel` Wall of the sleeve 61 aboveand below the iiuid port E3 therein to form a fluidtight seal betweenthe sleeve 6l and the tubing section 62.

Afxed to or formed on the outer wall of the sleeve 61 is an annular angel2 adapted to eX- tend into the annular recess 65 in the inner wall ofthe tubing section, When the valve structure is assembled, the spring 65forces said flange l2 up against the lower end 'F3 of the nipple 63,whereby the fluid ports B8 and 69 are out of alignment andthe valveassembly is in its closed position, as shown in Figure 4.

The bore 'i4 at the top of the sleeve 81 is tapered to form a seatingshoulder 'i5 adapted to cooperate with the tapered shoe 24 (Figure 1)carried at the lower end of the inner production tubing l5. The upperend of the sleeve 5'! may be provided with a rubber wiper ring i6 whichprevents sand from accumulating behind the sleeve B1. Likewise, in orderto prevent sand and foreign matter from settling below the valveassembly and interferingwith its operation, an upwardly-pointingcone-shaped disk l? may be secured to the inner wall of the sleeve Elbelow7 the lowerrnost iiuid port 68 therein to catch sand which wouldotherwise settle to the bottom and hinder the downward movement ofsleeve 61. Preferably, a smallhole 'i8 is provided in the apex of thedisk whereby the pressures on either side of said disk 'l1 will beequalized when the valve sleeve 61 slides up and down. Fluid enteringthe port 63 just above the disk 'l1 washes the upper face of the disk l?and prevents the accumulation of sand thereon, In order to maintain theport 68 of the sleeve Eil in vertical alignment with the port 69 of thetubing section 62, the latter is provided with a key i9 which extendsinwardly to fit into a vertical keyway 89 cut in the outer wall of thesleeve 6l, as shown in Figures 4 and 5.

The apparatus of the present invention finds application in many controlsystems in wells traversing at least two production Zones which areproduced through concentric production tubings. The present system isespecially useful when used in a well being produced by gas lift whereinthe gas lift equipment is carried by the innermost of two concentricproduction tubings as disclosed in my co-pending patent applicationentitled: Dual Gas-Lift System, Serial No. 177,990, filed August 7,1950. Thus, when the innermost production tubing l5 which carries thegas lift equipment (not shown) is removed from the well for servicing oisaid gas lift equipment, valve 2G is immediately closed when an upwardpull is applied to the tubing It to remove its weight from the seatingnipple 22 at the top of the valve.

As described with regard to Figure 4, when the weight of the productiontubing l5 (Figure 1) is removed from the seating shoulder l5 (Figure 4)oi the sleeve 6l, the compression spring |66 acting against the flangel2 of the sleeve 67 raises the latter so that the iiuid port 68 is outof register with the port 69 and the valve is thus closed. As the innerproduction tubing is raised higher, the collar 25 (Figures l and 2) isalso raised until it contacts the end 56 of the rocker element lll(Figure 2) which is raised together with the sleeve 2E of the valve fromthe position shown on the left-hand side of Figure 2 to that shown on`the right-hand side at which time the valve is closed. The inner tubingstring It may then be removed from the well while the production fromthe upper zone I2 (Figure 1) is isolated between casing I3, tubing l1and packers I8 and i9. At the same time the production from the lowerzone H is contained between casing le and tubing ll' below packer I3.Hence, it will be seen that by employing the present well controlequipment the production from the two zones Il and l2 is prevented fromintermingling while gas lift equipment (not shown) carried on the innerproduction tubing i6 is removed from the well for servicing.

An alternate method of utilizing well shutoff valve describedhereinabove with regard to Figures l and 5 is illustrateddiagrammatically in Figure 6. In this embodiment, the present wellcontrol equipment comprises a pair of sleeve valves 8l and B2 slidablymounted for limited vertical movement within the outer tubing S3 ofconcentric production tubings 83 and Sli.

The sleeve valves 8| and 82 of the embodiment illustrated in Figure 6are both of the type shown in Figure 4 and described hereinabove. Bothsleeve valves 8l and 82 are provided with tapered seats for receivingtapered shoes 9S and 9i carried by the inner tubing 8i in spacedrelationship. While the lower shoe al is solid in structure to formiiuidtight packer means with the top S2 of the lower sleeve valve 82,the upper shoe gli has a plurality of vertical nuid ports therethroughor is in the form oi a spider having a plurality of tapered ribs 93. Thespaces between the ribs 93 serve as fluid passageways allowing fluidentering ports Q4 in the tubing 83 and port 95 in the open sleeve valve8l to ilow up the production tubing 8d.

The diameter of the tapered seat 35 in the upper sleeve valve 8l isnecessarily greater than that of the lower shoe 9| thus allowing thelatter to pass through the sleeve Sl. The spacing between the shoes alland si carried by the inner tubing 84 is identical with the spacing be"tween the sleeve valves 3| and 82. Thus, when the inner tubing 84 is runinto the well, the shoes B and Si contact the tapered seats of thesleeve valves 8l and 82 simultaneously to open the valves at the sametime as the weight of the tubing Se forces the sleeves and 82 downwardlycompressing springs el and et. Upon subsequently raising the tubing Si,the action of the springs Si and 58 forces the sleeves 8l and 2 upwardlyto close the valves.

It is readily apparent from the above that the present well controlapparatus may likewise be modified to comprise two sleeve valvesidentical with the valve 2l instead of two valves identical with Valve2Q, as shown in Figure 6. Two valves of this type may be successivelyoperated by a single collar 25 carried by the inner tubing string, orthey may be simultaneously operated by providing the tubing with a pairoi" spaced collars.

An alternate arrangement of well shutoff valves according to the presentinvention is illustrated in Figure 7. The upper shutoff valve in thisapparatus comprises a sleeve valve Si similar to that described withreference to Figure 4, said sleeve valve E1 being actuated by a spring66 to close ports 68 in 'tubing section t2. The lower end of the sleeve@i is provided with an internal seating shoulder it@ on which the collar25 seats to open the valve 5i. Sealing rings or cups itl are carried onthe outer surface of the inner string IE below the collar 2t for forminga seal between the inner and outer 7 strings I6 and H at a point belowthe upper producing formation 12.-;

Secured to thelower endof the outer tubing il' by means of a collar 06vis a tubular member i'l which serves 4as an extension of the outervtubing. A packer IS is carried by the outer tubing il or its extension08 at a point below the upper producing zone l2. If desired, a secondpacker i9 is positioned on the outer tubing string above the producingzone. Fixedly' Ysecuredv within the outer tubing extension ll is aperiorate valve cage H38 havingfa seat its formed within the upper partthereof which is adapted to seat a ball |95. A spring E62 is positionedwithin the cage, 108 below the ball ille and normally seats the ball`|05 vagainst the valve seat Hill thus maintaining thevalve in anormally closed position.

The ball valve may be opened by a rod itt attached to the lower end ofthe seating shoe lfl by a perforate cap H0 which permits the flow of oilinto the inner tubing string le. The rod w3 is of sumcient length topush and hold the ball Ili off its seat when the collar 25 has seated onshoulder IBO 'and opened sleeve valve Si. When. the inner tubing stringle is removed for pulling and -servicing of equipment, sleeve valve 67is returned to its closed position by spring G@ shuttingin the top zonei2 while the rod H13 is withdrawn with the tubing string i5 allowingspring H32 to force the ball let up against seat Hill and thus shut inthe bottom zone ii. This arrangement of valves el and m5 has been foundto be especially convenient in that, by employing a weak spring itil,fluid standing in the inner tubing l5 may be drained therefrom as thetubing is pulled from the well` thus eliminating the spilling of oilaround the derriclr as the sections of tubing string are uncoupled.

claim as myrinvention:

l. Apparatus for use in a well having two veru tically spaced productivezones, said apparatus comprising a pairoi concentrically spaced pronduction tubings extending into the well with the lower ends thereofpositioned below the upper production zone, the outer production tubingbeing closed at its lower'end, a packer carried on the outer tubing toseal o the well between said productive zones, first and second fluidport means through the walls or" said outer tubing disposed above andbelow the packer, iirst and second sleeve valve means each having a boretherethrough and slidably. mounted for limited axial movement on theinner walls of said outer tubing adjacent said iirst and second portmeans, respectively, said movement bringing said irst and second sleevevalve means into and out of register with said first and second iiuidport means in said tubing, means comprising at least one memberexteriorly carried on the inner tubing and extending outwardly therefromfor openingY and closing said first sleeve valve means upon axialmovement of said inner tubing in opposite directions, said means beingadapted'to actuate, and pass through the first sleeve valve means` andsubsequently engage and actuate said.. second sleeve valve means, andclosure means in the annular space between said production tubings at apoint intermediate said first and second port means.

2. VApparatus for use in a well having two vertically spaced productiveZones, said apparatus comprising a pairof concentrically spacedproduction tubings extending intothe well with the lower ends thereoflpositioned below the upper production'zone, the outer tubing beingclosed at its lower end, a packer carried on the outer tubing to sealoff the well between said produc-` tive zones, irst and second iiuidport means through the walls'of said outer tubing disposed above andbelow thepacker, iirst and second sleeve valve means slidably mountedfor limited axial movement on the inner walls oi said outer tubingadjacent said first and second port means,

respectively, said movement bringing said rst i and second sleeve valvemeansv intoY and out of register with said. iirst and Asecond iiuid portmeans in said tubing, means comprising at least one member exteriorilycarried on the inner tubing and extending outwardly therefrom foropening and closing said rst sleeve valve means upon axial movement ofsaid inner tubing: in opposite directions, said means being adapted toactuate andpass through the rst sleeve valve means in register with saidinner production tubing.

3. Apparatus for use in a well having two vertically spaced VproductiveZones, said apparatus.

comprising a pair of concentrically spaced pro duction tubings extendinginto the well with the lower ends thereof positioned below the upperproduction Zone, the outer production tubing i beiing Aclosed at itslower end, a packer carried on the outer tubing to seal ori the wellbetween said productive zones, irst and second iluid port means throughthe walls of said outer tubing disposed above and below the packer,first and seoi ond sleeve valve means slidably mounted for limited axialmovement on the inner lwalls oi said outer tubing adjacent said firstand second port means, respectively, said movement bringiing said rstandrsecond sleeve valve means into and out of register with said firstand second iiuid .port means in said tubing, an annular memberexteriorly aiiixed to the innerl tubing and having a diameter largerthanithatV of the inner tubingifor opening and closing said firstsleevevalve means uponaxialmovement of said inner tubing in oppositedirections, said annular member being adapted to actuate and passthrough the rst sleeve valve means and subsequently engage and actuatesaid secondsleevei valve means, closure means in the annular spacebetween said production tubings at a point intermediate said first andsecond portmeans, and

an axial bore through saidl closure means inA register with said innerproduction tubing.

4. Apparatus forvuse in a well having two Vvertically spaced productivezones, said apparatus comprisinga pair of concentrically spaced pro'-duction tubings extending into the .well withv the lower ends thereofpositioned below the upper production zone, the outer production tubingbe-V ing closed at its lower end, iirst and second .packers carried onthe outer tubing to sealI` ofi the well above and below the upperproductive Zone, nrst and second fluid port means through the walls ofsaid outer tubing disposed above and below-the lower packer, iirst andsecond sleeve valve means slidably mounted for limitedraxial Y movementon the inner walls of said outer tubing, saidrmovement bringing saidsleeve valve means into and out of register with said irst i and secondiiuid port means in said tubing, locking means carried by said firstsleeve valve means and extending into the bores thereof for limiting themovement of said valve means, an annular member exteriorly affixed tothe inner tubing and extending outwardly therefrom for contacting saidlocking means to open and close said valve means upon axial movement ofsaid inner tubing in opposite directions, said annular member beingadapted to actuate and pass through the first sleeve valve means andsubsequently engage and actuate said second sleeve valve means, closuremeans in the annular space between said production tubings at a pointintermediate said iirst and second port means, and an axial bore throughsaid closure means in register with said inner production tubing.

'5. Apparatus for use in a well having two vertically spaced productivezones, said apparatus comprising a pair of concentrically spacedproduction tubings extending into the well with the lower ends thereofpositioned below the upper production zone, the outer production tubingbeing closed at its lower end, first and second packers carried on theouter tubing to seal od the well above and below the upper productivezone, rst and second fluid port means through the walls of said outertubing disposed above and below the lower packer, upper and lowerspring-loaded sleeve valve means slidably mounted for limited axialmovement on the inner walls of said outer tubing, said movement bringingsaid sleeve valve means into and out of register with said rst andsecond iiuid port means in said tubing, locking means carried by saidupper valve means and extending into the bore thereof for limiting themovement of said valve means, a collar exteriorly aiiixed to the innertubing and extending outwardly therefrom for contacting said lockingmeans to open and close said upper valve means upon axial movement ofsaid inner tubing in opposite directions, said collar being adapted toactuate and pass through the upper sleeve valve means and subsequentlyengage and actuate said lower sleeve valve means, closure means aixed tothe top of the lower sleeve valve means for closing the annular spacebetween said production tubings, an axial bore through said closuremeans in register with said inner production tubing, a shoe carried onthe lower end of said inner production tubing and adapted to seat Withinthe axial bore of said closure means, said lower l() sleeve valve meansbeing opened by axial movement of said inner tubing when said shoe isseated in said closure means.

6. Apparatus for use in a well having two vertically spaced productivezones, said apparatus comprising a pair of concentrically spacedproduction tubings extending into the well with the lower ends thereofpositioned below the upper production zone, the outer production tubingbeing closed at its lower end, rst and second packers carried on theouter tubing to seal oir the well above and below the upper productivezone, rst and second fluid port means through the walls of said outertubing disposed above and below the lower packer, upper and lower sleevevalves slidably mounted for limited axial movement on the inner axialwalls of said outer tubing, said movement bringing said sleeve valvesinto and out of register with said first and second uid port means insaid tubing, springloaded locking means carried by said upper sleevevalve to limit the movement of said valve, an annular member exteriorlyaffixed to the inner tubing and having a diameter greater than said rtubing for contacting said locking means to open and close said uppervalve upon axial movement of said inner tubing in opposite directions,said annular member being adapted to actuate and pass through the uppersleeve valve means and subsequently engage and actuate said lower sleevevalve means, closure means aiiixed to the top of the lower sleeve valvefor closing the annular space between said production tubings at a pointabove said second port means, an axial bore through said closure meansin register with said inner production tubing, an outwardly extendingilange affixed to the lower sleeve Valve, an annular recess in the innerwall of the outer tubing above said second port means, said ange beingmounted for limited axial sliding movement within said recess, andspring means mounted in said recess and bearing against said iiange fornormally closing said lower sleeve valve, said valve being opened byaxial movement of the lower end of the inner tubing thereagainst.

References Cited in the file of this patent-I UNITED STATES PATENTSNumber Name Date 2,277,380 Yancey Mar. 24, 1942 2,403,987 Lewis July 16,1946

